+ For me now he is most outstanding person in the gaming industry, besides authors of Disco Elysium. The rest of the game developers are less personalized and memorable, except maybe Kojima
I really like the image of Sam Lake and Ilka Villi playing BG3 in Co-op, while the BG3 cast play Alan Wake 2 in front of a huge lore whiteboard. Those are my 2 favourite games this year!
@@delmattia96 Right now I'm trying to make a speculative flowchart map of the "spiral" alongside all of Alan Wake's connections to Control and Quantum Break. It's, uh... spiraling out of control. Alan has stuck himself in a time pretzel.
My pop used to do government contract supervision with a Finnish company here in the States. His take away from visiting Finland was that they were “all beautiful and said what they were thinking”.
I love that he picked something as perceptively 'basic' as movement as a game mechanic to highlight. And then full-on broke down the philosophy behind why and y'know what, I find myself totally agreeing lol
@@Blisterdude123 movement within a game is the most important thing for me it has to be smooth or its unplayable for me. and its shocking to me how many games dont get that right.
I'm just happy that the game industry has someone like Sam Lake in it. Been a fan for a very long time and I'm always delighted when I hear him talk about various things.
When he said he sees traversal in games as important, storytelling in action games and also about seeing games as an artform, it is clear Sam Lake really knows what makes a good game or what makes a game good. This is also what makes me love Kojima so much, I would love for them to work together more.
Sincerely hope he is not going to retire any time soon. A childhood hero for many of us, who grew up with their games since the og Max Payne. A true treasure of the gaming industry and entertainment as a whole!
Listening to him talk about CRPGs... maybe Remedy will get enough courage to make us a classic RPG with amazing storytelling they are so good at?... would be absolutely amazing!
For me Max Payne 2 will always be my favorite game. It’s me in my college dorm, a companion and hope during dark depression, and gave me Poets of the Fall. Very grateful for Remedy.
It's rare when developers admire other games, and do not really care about awards, they just want to create experiences. Sam Lake isn't a lake, he is an ocean because of this~
Seeing Sam Lake talk about games brings me SO much joy. I can’t even explain how happy seeing him makes me! I love what he says about games being an interactive art form and how it’s constantly evolving. The amount of immersion and world building in Remedy games are truly second to none.
What I love abotu Sam Lake is how he's still passionate about games. He's still in love with the medium, and hearing that he loves Disco Elysium...brought a smile to my face. I have yet to play it, but it's on my list of "Games to Play Before I Die."
Sam Lake. THANK YOU. Your passionate is overflowing, not only a spectacular game director but a genuine video game player and hearing him gush over games he used to play and details he still remembers 20+ years is beautiful so thank you Sam Lake from the gaming community.
I love hearing industry pros talk about games in general. Marketing sort of forces them to stay "on brand" but this is an artistic field with influences and inspiration from everywhere.
I only started getting into Remedy's stuff a couple of months ago as I wanted to play Alan Wake 2 since it gave me strong Resident Evil 2 Remake vibes (which I of course love), and I'm genuinely upset it took me thing long! I love listening to interviews like this with Sam Lake since basically everything he says about storytelling and game design really, really resonates with me. I'm just so happy that there are still creatives out there who not only want to use videogames as the art form they deserve to be, but also know exactly how to do that very, very well. Cannot wait to see what's next from him because I will be there on day one.
Max Payne was such a game changer for me when I discovered it in my teens, seeing the real Max Payne in all these Alan Wake 2 interviews brings me back ^_^
Here is a man that truly understands and respects the medium of gaming. He's also very clearly someone who WANTS to improve his craft and is looking for ways to innovate any narrative he crafts
Imagine if all game studios had this type of creative direction and sense of passion and love for their creations and their piers. Remedy never fails to Deliver... I know what I'll be doing 12 hours and 9 minutes from now.
Sam Lake is like a film director with a strong artistic style across his filmography imo. I wish there were more creative directors who speak with that level of passion and candidness about their games.
Gaming used to have this touch and it was sadly lost by a lot of the old-school greats as well. Love that remedy and the entirety have stayed true to their passion as gaming should be. Absolutely love their work it's truly inspiring
"You'd find that Lady Luck was really a hooker, and you were fresh out of cash" Max Payne Also Sam Lake has a definitely great taste in games Like These kind of games i would expect from a guy who created Mind-blowing stories Remedy is one of the rare cases of group of people or a videogame company who dont look at videogames and see how to earn more money, they desperately trying to bring their idea, their vision. They just want to tell amazing stories, without battlepass, outposts, time savers and etc. They love games and its pretty fucking rare these days
Sam Lake has become my favorite person in video games hands down. Remedy kicks ass and knowing that such a wholesome, creative, unique, and passionate dude is behind them makes it all even better.
Sam should really play a short hike. His favorite mechanic is traversal, he wants a short game with an adventure and he wants interaction with other characters. He also wants stylization and something recognizable.
When he was talking about narrative I had a feeling he was gonna mention Disco Elysium. One of the best games I ever played. Loved the art style, world building, characters and narration in the game with added exceptional voice acting from really talented artists. Truly a masterpiece and one of a kind game. Same goes with Alan Wake 2. It's an awesome game and really amazing work of art. Love Sam Lake and whole Remedy for making awesome games since Max Payne.
Im very happy for Sam and everyone at Remedy. Those guys are truly a GOAT in my life Max Payne 1 and 2 are some of my favourite third person action shooters, I played control last year and while I was rather confused by it story at times the gameplay was incredible and Sam dancing at the game awards to Herald of darkness as well as the video clip from the game, just makes me excited and pumped to want to play there games. And they’ve all just had such unique styles and visions of what they wanted out of each game I have a lot of respect for developers like that and also that they don’t want to be bought out by anyone.
I've always said "movement" is my favourite thing in video games (outside of their capabilities to deliver interactive narratives), it's so cool to hear Lake has a similar opinion when it comes to "exploration". Also, absolutely LOVING that Alan Wake 2 is out and REALLY GOOD!
Listen to me, I was 17 when I played Max Payne. Only after many years have passed I understood who Sam Lake is (sorry Sami Järvi for us peasants not being able to say YOUR REAL NAME!) and lovely his contributions were to my personal live growing up with videogames. Max Payne was transformational. I never forgot about it, then came Alan Wake, then Quantic Break, then Control................. I could not believe my life growing up and witnessing these games at the same time, it was like a dream but also the realest things I've ever witness in the gaming space. 2023: AW2 finally a reality. Damn, expectations over the roof. OVER THE STRATOSPHERE. Still. you know what? Up to the end I was blown away - every second I could not expect what came next. 30h+ completely intimate and lived-in experience. With all the garnishments of tying together with all your other games. The happiest I could ever be in gaming ever since my dad taught me about his 386SX. Please be happy with your awesome career, Sami, and all the people around you. I was born in 1984 in Portugal and cannot be more grateful to eventually have found your games. I hope, please, you read this. You deserve accolades and respect in your creative/work life. It has been world defining to me - I cannot imagine the world without you, truly. Please don't retire before your next game, I cannot wait for it :)
I also started gaming on the commodore 64. Donkey Kong and Dizzy are the first games i ever played. Im as much into gaming as i was then. Im 40 now and just started AW2 this past weekend and its perfect.
Two companies that won't stop giving me games with great tales, music, and gameplay: Remedy and Supergiant. For me, they are the Western video game industry.
The og Max payne Sam Lake is so good to listen to his understanding and thought process always trying to push the envelope in narrative of the game. The choices are absolute gold
Watching this video on my bright TV as I’m working on my computer gave an imprint on the side of my peripheral like an echo from Alan Wake 2 and Sam Lake was there.
I can't believe I'm watching Sam Lake's video talks about my favourite games (Disco Elysium and Baldur's Gate 3 ❤). This is why I'm so eager to play Alan Wake 2. Control was awesome, can't wait for its sequel.
2:12 Yes we desperately need a new Bioshock in 2024 or 2025! 5:10 This is why the first Ninja Gaiden was the best game ever made, that gameplay has never been repreduced in any open world fighting game, plus those graphics and the whole world as a Ninja, it's still by far the best game I have ever played! (Also Top Spin and Amped 2!) Also Alan Wake 2 is the best game I have played since years, I absolutely love the story and the music every time you finish a chapter!
The point about moving is definitely true for me. Cyberpunk has a Quicktravel Point to every major location yet I still choose to drive myself, because I enjoy taking Night City in.
I love the question of "What is your favourite game of all-time?" The answer of Dragon Age: Origins comes to me so quickly. Although... Baldur's Gate 3 is definitely a threat to the top spot. I haven't finished it yet though. One day
This years game awards will be stacked. Resident Evil 4, Baldurs Gate 3, Spider Man 2, Tears of the kingdom, Diablo 4, Jedi Survivor, Dead Space, Final Fantasy 16, Alan Wake 2, Starfield, Armored Core 6, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 6, Hogwarts legacy, Forspoken, this year was a AAA game fest. I've got Alan Wake 2 as GOTY.
Definitely a writer, shouting out to planescape torment. Chris Avellone reached an anomaly level there, impossible to recreate again. The best written game ever.
Sam Lake is a Disco Elysium enjoyer, just when he couldn't get more awesome
I would be absolutely floored if he didn't. That game was made for him, lol.
+ For me now he is most outstanding person in the gaming industry, besides authors of Disco Elysium. The rest of the game developers are less personalized and memorable, except maybe Kojima
It makes so much sense lol. One of the veeeeery few 10/10 games imo
Breathtaking game and OST
I...may have to play all of Remedy's games now...
Sam lake is a legend
He is Max Payne!
Sam Lake is an Ocean
@@KdersWTF I CAME HERE TO SAY THIS!!!
Max Payne yes HE IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Kders no he's a spiral.
Alan Wake 2 has been out for a few days now, it is amazing, and I like to think Sam Lake is kicking back at home, finally playing Baldurs Gate 3.
I really like the image of Sam Lake and Ilka Villi playing BG3 in Co-op, while the BG3 cast play Alan Wake 2 in front of a huge lore whiteboard.
Those are my 2 favourite games this year!
@@delmattia96 Right now I'm trying to make a speculative flowchart map of the "spiral" alongside all of Alan Wake's connections to Control and Quantum Break. It's, uh... spiraling out of control. Alan has stuck himself in a time pretzel.
This man is 53 years old.
We can only hope to age this gracefully.
scandinavian genetics. scandinavians are like asians of europe when it comes to aging, mostly finns
@@ImotekhtheStormlord-tx2itnordic* but yes!
G-Man as his favorite character is such a cool choice. G-Man clearly feels like a Remedy character that he would himself write
They kinda made their own G-Man now with Mr Door!
@@GreyWithCreamium nah, I think Ahti is more of that character than Door is.
@@Azrael_Equinoxahti appears to often to have the same vibes imo, but i love ahti
Remedy should buy Half Life's rights so Sam can make part 3
that explain how mysterious Ahti and Warlin Door is. both character are splitting image of G-man
"he was trying to buy more sand for his hour glass, I wasn't selling any"
Guy doesn’t age. Or he ages like a fine wine.
My pop used to do government contract supervision with a Finnish company here in the States. His take away from visiting Finland was that they were “all beautiful and said what they were thinking”.
Finnish genes.
Do you want Alan Wake's iconic layered outfit back in Alan Wake 2?!?
Absolutely!! That ill-advised tweed jacket + hoodie is iconic lol
Absolutely! It's rather iconic and very... Writer-y lol.
@@jameshowlett4018 probably uncomfortable too lol talk about a tortured writer!
I'd like them to stop blackwashing existing characters from their previous games
@@sellingacoerwa8318Saga wasnt in their previous games. Let it go
A game dev with excellent taste? Planescape? Disco? Damn. No wonder I love this guy's games so much.
I could listen to him talk about games and storytelling forever.
Also he genuinely has great taste in games too.
Beyond hyped for Alan Wake 2.
I sense its going to be at least a 9.5.
he is always pleasant to listen to as he is not full of himself like so many other people in showbizz are.
I love that he picked something as perceptively 'basic' as movement as a game mechanic to highlight. And then full-on broke down the philosophy behind why and y'know what, I find myself totally agreeing lol
@@Blisterdude123 movement within a game is the most important thing for me it has to be smooth or its unplayable for me.
and its shocking to me how many games dont get that right.
I'm just happy that the game industry has someone like Sam Lake in it. Been a fan for a very long time and I'm always delighted when I hear him talk about various things.
A Sam Lake fan, a Remedy enjoyer and a Metroid fan as well because of your logo? Take a like, you earned it!
I hope Noclip eventually does a documentary on Remedy.
I love the amount of Sam Lake content we're getting these days. Didn't know BAFTA did these kinds of videos, so it's a nice discovery to make as well.
Just seeing him makes me happy. What a legendary man
When he said he sees traversal in games as important, storytelling in action games and also about seeing games as an artform, it is clear Sam Lake really knows what makes a good game or what makes a game good. This is also what makes me love Kojima so much, I would love for them to work together more.
Such a talented team led by a true dreamer
Sincerely hope he is not going to retire any time soon. A childhood hero for many of us, who grew up with their games since the og Max Payne. A true treasure of the gaming industry and entertainment as a whole!
Protect him at all costs
Absurdly good taste. What a joy to listen to
Listening to him talk about CRPGs... maybe Remedy will get enough courage to make us a classic RPG with amazing storytelling they are so good at?... would be absolutely amazing!
That would be amasing!
Maybe after BG3 session he want to improve the RPG genre next!
We can Only hope!
😅
Can you imagine! An RPG set in the Remedy Universe! That would be awesomely fantastic!
For me Max Payne 2 will always be my favorite game. It’s me in my college dorm, a companion and hope during dark depression, and gave me Poets of the Fall. Very grateful for Remedy.
Sam Lake has been as vital to storytelling in video games as Hideo Kojima. Much respect.
Loved when he brought up how traversal in games is underrated. Preach Sam!
It's rare when developers admire other games, and do not really care about awards, they just want to create experiences. Sam Lake isn't a lake, he is an ocean because of this~
Seeing Sam Lake talk about games brings me SO much joy. I can’t even explain how happy seeing him makes me! I love what he says about games being an interactive art form and how it’s constantly evolving. The amount of immersion and world building in Remedy games are truly second to none.
Sam was already a legend in my eyes, but rocking the Planescape: Torment card made him even better.
What I love abotu Sam Lake is how he's still passionate about games. He's still in love with the medium, and hearing that he loves Disco Elysium...brought a smile to my face. I have yet to play it, but it's on my list of "Games to Play Before I Die."
This man is a rock star of video games! 😎
Being a gamer - makes sense, after listening to the interviews of Sam Lake 🤘
Sam Lake. THANK YOU. Your passionate is overflowing, not only a spectacular game director but a genuine video game player and hearing him gush over games he used to play and details he still remembers 20+ years is beautiful so thank you Sam Lake from the gaming community.
This is what the games industry needs. Developers passionate about the games they create, and who lift each other up and enjoy each other's works.
I love hearing industry pros talk about games in general. Marketing sort of forces them to stay "on brand" but this is an artistic field with influences and inspiration from everywhere.
Listening to this dude speak of such passion he's had over the past 20 years, I wanna buy the man a drink and play everything his team has ever made.
Not drink
Coffee
@@Jjbf006 Then I'll leave on a pot of coffee.
I can't believe I didn’t know about this awesome person until I discovered Alan Wake 2 a couple weeks ago
I wish more people played Planescape: Torment. It truly is one of the best, if not the best narratives ever conceived in a video game.
could listen to sam lake talk all day.
I only started getting into Remedy's stuff a couple of months ago as I wanted to play Alan Wake 2 since it gave me strong Resident Evil 2 Remake vibes (which I of course love), and I'm genuinely upset it took me thing long! I love listening to interviews like this with Sam Lake since basically everything he says about storytelling and game design really, really resonates with me. I'm just so happy that there are still creatives out there who not only want to use videogames as the art form they deserve to be, but also know exactly how to do that very, very well. Cannot wait to see what's next from him because I will be there on day one.
Max Payne was such a game changer for me when I discovered it in my teens, seeing the real Max Payne in all these Alan Wake 2 interviews brings me back ^_^
Planescape Torment is awesome then and now!
Here is a man that truly understands and respects the medium of gaming. He's also very clearly someone who WANTS to improve his craft and is looking for ways to innovate any narrative he crafts
Never thought I'd hear Sam Lake talk about adventure games. Great interview!
Sam Lake liking Immortality and Disco Elysium is one of the less surprising things I’ve ever heard. Great games and so up his alley.
I loved Sam before he shouted out Planescape Torment, but that just set it in stone
He brings pure art in video games , major respect for these man and mostly for all Remedy Staff , simply amazing
We have to protect this man at all costs. He is a global treasure. Thank you so much for your contribution to the videogames world, Mr. LAKE 🙏🏻
Imagine if all game studios had this type of creative direction and sense of passion and love for their creations and their piers. Remedy never fails to Deliver...
I know what I'll be doing 12 hours and 9 minutes from now.
you need to play more games, I recommend starting with game studio Undead Labs.
Remedy never fails to deliver...
...except when they make big-budget games :p
Sam Lake is like a film director with a strong artistic style across his filmography imo. I wish there were more creative directors who speak with that level of passion and candidness about their games.
@@turbochargedfilmsIs Alan Wake 2 bad you think? Or Control?
Gaming used to have this touch and it was sadly lost by a lot of the old-school greats as well. Love that remedy and the entirety have stayed true to their passion as gaming should be. Absolutely love their work it's truly inspiring
"You'd find that Lady Luck was really a hooker, and you were fresh out of cash" Max Payne
Also Sam Lake has a definitely great taste in games
Like These kind of games i would expect from a guy who created Mind-blowing stories
Remedy is one of the rare cases of group of people or a videogame company who dont look at videogames and see how to earn more money, they desperately trying to bring their idea, their vision. They just want to tell amazing stories, without battlepass, outposts, time savers and etc.
They love games and its pretty fucking rare these days
Sam Lake has become my favorite person in video games hands down. Remedy kicks ass and knowing that such a wholesome, creative, unique, and passionate dude is behind them makes it all even better.
I know right.
I love that he had Would you kindly as the favorite quote. Great twist if you didn't know it!!!!
Sam should really play a short hike. His favorite mechanic is traversal, he wants a short game with an adventure and he wants interaction with other characters. He also wants stylization and something recognizable.
When he was talking about narrative I had a feeling he was gonna mention Disco Elysium. One of the best games I ever played. Loved the art style, world building, characters and narration in the game with added exceptional voice acting from really talented artists. Truly a masterpiece and one of a kind game. Same goes with Alan Wake 2. It's an awesome game and really amazing work of art. Love Sam Lake and whole Remedy for making awesome games since Max Payne.
Sam Lakes favorite quote is Would you kindly? Impeccable taste - god he just gets cooler and cooler
Sam Lake is an actual gamer, not surprising. Planescape torment, great answer
Same lake is a spiral force of creativity !
Man has amazing taste in games
Im very happy for Sam and everyone at Remedy. Those guys are truly a GOAT in my life Max Payne 1 and 2 are some of my favourite third person action shooters, I played control last year and while I was rather confused by it story at times the gameplay was incredible and Sam dancing at the game awards to Herald of darkness as well as the video clip from the game, just makes me excited and pumped to want to play there games. And they’ve all just had such unique styles and visions of what they wanted out of each game I have a lot of respect for developers like that and also that they don’t want to be bought out by anyone.
What a sohisticated gaming palette! Quite respectable
We're very lucky to have studio heads that really care about the art of it all, like him, instead of just the money that can be made.
In this house we love Sam Lake ❤
Sam is a GOD of video games.
planescape torment, my man knows whats good.
He's one of the best individuals in the gaming industry imo. Remedy have never had a misstep.
Same Lake mentions Ultima series. Amazing. A childhood and modern day hero playing a Titan of a series.
My love for Max Payne only increases by the day, couldn't be much proud of it.
Thanks Sam!
Ok, After this interview, I need an rpg made by Sam Lake...
I've always said "movement" is my favourite thing in video games (outside of their capabilities to deliver interactive narratives), it's so cool to hear Lake has a similar opinion when it comes to "exploration". Also, absolutely LOVING that Alan Wake 2 is out and REALLY GOOD!
What a wholesome guy who just loves games and gaming in general. Imagine if he and Miyazaki did a collab 😮
He's make Mario a black guy with a afro?
@@sellingacoerwa8318 Cut back the booze
@@sellingacoerwa8318 these people aren't American, they won't push a woke narrative
Nah, lake and kojima
@@BadSodaProductionslet's get all 3 of them on a project
Legend!
My goat
Of course Sam Lake’s taste in games is impeccable. Such a legend 🤘🏻
Was so surprised when he talked about Planescape: Torment and Disco Elysium
Still feels to me that Sam Lake is underrate. This guy is a fucking genius!
Sam lake wrote his story of amazingness!
Love Sam Wake. Thanks for this! 💕
Planescape, Yes! Literally the best answer, stone cold narrative classic.
It took me 180hours to complete one playthrough of BG3. So having two weeks for it and more is certainly wise.
He is ONE OF US! ONE OF US! God Bless him!
OMG and he loves MORTE! :)
Listen to me, I was 17 when I played Max Payne. Only after many years have passed I understood who Sam Lake is (sorry Sami Järvi for us peasants not being able to say YOUR REAL NAME!) and lovely his contributions were to my personal live growing up with videogames. Max Payne was transformational. I never forgot about it, then came Alan Wake, then Quantic Break, then Control.................
I could not believe my life growing up and witnessing these games at the same time, it was like a dream but also the realest things I've ever witness in the gaming space.
2023: AW2 finally a reality. Damn, expectations over the roof. OVER THE STRATOSPHERE. Still. you know what? Up to the end I was blown away - every second I could not expect what came next. 30h+ completely intimate and lived-in experience. With all the garnishments of tying together with all your other games. The happiest I could ever be in gaming ever since my dad taught me about his 386SX.
Please be happy with your awesome career, Sami, and all the people around you. I was born in 1984 in Portugal and cannot be more grateful to eventually have found your games. I hope, please, you read this. You deserve accolades and respect in your creative/work life. It has been world defining to me - I cannot imagine the world without you, truly. Please don't retire before your next game, I cannot wait for it :)
Sam lake is a gem. Love this man ahaha
I also started gaming on the commodore 64. Donkey Kong and Dizzy are the first games i ever played. Im as much into gaming as i was then. Im 40 now and just started AW2 this past weekend and its perfect.
Disco Elysium and Bioshock referenced, holy cultured takes
Ahhh a man of culture
Two companies that won't stop giving me games with great tales, music, and gameplay: Remedy and Supergiant. For me, they are the Western video game industry.
The og Max payne Sam Lake is so good to listen to his understanding and thought process always trying to push the envelope in narrative of the game. The choices are absolute gold
Absolutely wonderful, Sam is a joy to watch
I love him sm
Watching this video on my bright TV as I’m working on my computer gave an imprint on the side of my peripheral like an echo from Alan Wake 2 and Sam Lake was there.
I love to see Harry in the middle of the cover. Taquila 🌅sunset
I can't believe I'm watching Sam Lake's video talks about my favourite games (Disco Elysium and Baldur's Gate 3 ❤). This is why I'm so eager to play Alan Wake 2. Control was awesome, can't wait for its sequel.
Sam Lake is my KOJIMA.
Remedy is my REMEDY.
Possibly the greatest spokesperson for games as a medium.
2:12 Yes we desperately need a new Bioshock in 2024 or 2025!
5:10 This is why the first Ninja Gaiden was the best game ever made, that gameplay has never been repreduced in any open world fighting game, plus those graphics and the whole world as a Ninja, it's still by far the best game I have ever played! (Also Top Spin and Amped 2!)
Also Alan Wake 2 is the best game I have played since years, I absolutely love the story and the music every time you finish a chapter!
The point about moving is definitely true for me. Cyberpunk has a Quicktravel Point to every major location yet I still choose to drive myself, because I enjoy taking Night City in.
I love the question of "What is your favourite game of all-time?" The answer of Dragon Age: Origins comes to me so quickly. Although... Baldur's Gate 3 is definitely a threat to the top spot. I haven't finished it yet though. One day
Sam Lake you beautiful man! Keep doing what you do best man.
Nice, Sammy. Sam Barlow has the distinction of having worked on the two best of the more unpopular silent hill games. Good shoutout
Planescsape torment mentioned!
I love listening to Sam talk! Any subject.
Sam is a national treasure
This years game awards will be stacked. Resident Evil 4, Baldurs Gate 3, Spider Man 2, Tears of the kingdom, Diablo 4, Jedi Survivor, Dead Space, Final Fantasy 16, Alan Wake 2, Starfield, Armored Core 6, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 6, Hogwarts legacy, Forspoken, this year was a AAA game fest. I've got Alan Wake 2 as GOTY.
Definitely a writer, shouting out to planescape torment. Chris Avellone reached an anomaly level there, impossible to recreate again. The best written game ever.